Douglas County Commissioner Jack Hilbert will leave his seat to lead new state child welfare hotline

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CASTLE ROCK, Colo. - Douglas County Commissioner Jack A. Hilbert will leave his seat early to accept a job with the Colorado Department of Human Services.

Hilbert will vacate his seat representing the county's District 1 on July 13, about six months before his second and final term would otherwise end. The next day, he will begin to oversee a program to create a statewide Child Welfare Protection Hotline.

"Although my plan had been to complete my second term as Commissioner and then to continue serving Douglas County as a State Representative, the opportunity to serve and protect our state's youngest and most vulnerable population was an opportunity I could not let pass me by," Hilbert said in a statement provided by the county.

Hiblert was first elected in November of 2006 and was reelected in 2010.

"Douglas County's loss is the state's gain, and great news for families and children in Colorado," Commissioner Jill Repella said.

Gov. John Hickenlooper signed a bill requiring the creation of an always-available hotline into law on May 14, 2013. It is scheduled to launch on January 1, 2015.

"We will miss Jack's leadership, his positive approach to problem-solving and the energy he brings to all opportunities and challenges," said County Commissioner and Board chair, Roger Partridge.

"I look forward to serving the children and families of the State of Colorado," Hilbert said.

Copyright 2014 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.